EPISODE 26 - GRATITUDE
We seem to be living in a world of politically driven illusions. A democratically defeated president and his devoted followers continue the hypocritical illusion that he really won, because this time the election was crooked, (of course, it was not so in 2016).
I am grateful for the reality and beauty of our natural world where I can have a respite, feeling content and peaceful, and away from the “meshugaas”or craziness of this situation.
TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES
The roseate spoonbill has arrived
prancing around flashing
bright red eyes
under a pale green skull cap
flapping wings
of pinks, rose and orange.
inside the mangrove tunnel
rays of sunlight breaking through
create pools of liquid gold
green, yellow and golden leaves
some floating vertically
remind me of fall colors
in the north east.
Future mangrove roots
hang low reaching down
touching the waters surface.
Paddling through spiders webs,
I look up at the spider
hanging over my head,
Its round body with shiny silver patches
reflecting the bright sun.
I sit still in the silence,
aware of mangrove fragrances,
watching a bird group
share the shallows.
Ibis and lesser yellowlegs (sandpipers)
tricolor and blue herons.
Each fishes for lunch
in their own unique way.
Here I am the visitor
in the complex world
of the mangroves,
home to many creatures
well hidden below and above the water.
Each playing their part
in making this unique place
such a valuable ecosystem.
Find your own refuge
where the natural world
will sooth your mind,
bringing that inner peace,
strengthening your resolve
to take action.
Expressing gratitude
however you best can
in this month of Thanksgiving.
WHOSE ILLUSION?
I thought the election was done
apparently not for everyone,
especially the man in the white house
who continues to play cat and mouse
Am i deluded, living an illusion
That was no confusion
there was an election and the President lost
Or is there a parallel hoax universe
constructed of tweets, and Newsmax,
where there is no pandemic.,
Instead there are
uncounted votes and software glitches
A growing border wall,
fracking and drilling,
beautiful golf greens.
Luxury hotels and private clubs
staffed by “undocumented immigrants”.
In this beautiful world
everything is magnificent
nothing has ever been better,
not even the grand illusion
that facts are figments of the imagination
and repetition changes lies into truths
absorbed by sponge like minds
forgetful that their friends are buried
in debt or in the ground.
Lets end on an upbeat note
lets not get stuck in the muddy moat,
please God let’s move on
with an administration we can rely upon
taking better care of this pandemic
and racism which is still systemic
Then we can have Thanksgiving with gratitude
once again having a positive attitude
The United States will act again as one
marching to the beat of the same drum
stopping infection in its tracks
covering each others backs!
©MartinStrasmore2020